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Utah Senate advances a string of bills; votes recorded on emissions testing, place-name reforms and livestock rules
Summary
On Day 23 of the 2021 Utah Senate session, senators approved a range of measures on the third-reading calendar — including emissions-testing, indigent defense reorganization, and place-name change procedures — and advanced several House bills; the chamber also debated livestock amendments that redefine guardian dogs and raise penalties for livestock destruction.
The Utah Senate convened for its 23rd day of the 2021 legislative session and recorded votes on multiple bills, advancing several measures to the House and resolving several procedural items.
Among the votes, Senate Bill 146, which makes permanent a pilot requiring diesel emissions testing for certain light-duty diesel vehicles along the Wasatch Front, passed the Senate by a roll-call of 26–0 (SEG 341–403). Senate Bill 105, a reorganization of the Indigent Defense Commission supported by the governor’s office and the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, passed 25–0 (SEG 404–453). Senate Bill 10 — a process bill that streamlines geographic place-name changes and directs the Commission on Indian Affairs to play a formal role in the review — passed 21–7 after floor discussion about tribal input and process (SEG 454–619).
On the consent calendar, House Bill 221 (property tax records clarifications to protect certain taxpayer-submitted records) passed unanimously with 23 yea votes and no nays; six senators were absent (SEG 291–334). First substitute House Bill 53, establishing marking and lighting standards for meteorological evaluation towers to reduce aviation hazards, was approved 28–0 and moved to third reading (SEG 644–722). Third substitute House Bill 30, a set of tax-commission technical changes and data-sharing provisions, was read and later tabled on third for fiscal reasons (motion to table passed) (SEG 737–866).
A notable policy debate centered on House Bill 166, the livestock amendments described by the sponsor as addressing two issues: stricter penalties for destruction of livestock and a provision classifying certain guardian dogs as livestock while they live with and protect herds. Senators asked detailed questions about scope, liability if a guardian dog becomes aggressive off the herd, how the bill applies on open range and public lands, and the criminal thresholds tied to dollar values for destroyed livestock (SEG 953–1633). The Senate recorded 21 yea, 6 nay, and 2 absent on HB166, sending it forward (SEG 1579–1633).
The Senate also introduced additional bills, received committee reports and adjourned until 10:00 A.M. the following day (SEG 1636–1667).
